Farmers Market Etiquette: 8 Ways To Be A Good Customer

I’m lucky enough to live up the street from our community farmers market. As I watch the crowds swell each Saturday, I wonder: What are the biggest customer dos and don’ts from a farmer’s perspective? In other words, is there such a thing as farmers market etiquette? Turns out, there is! I asked Rachel Tayse Baillieul, the blogger behind Harmonious Homestead and a co-owner of Swainway Urban Farm, a fixture at our local farmers market, for her insider take.

by Rachel Tayse Baillieul

Visiting a farmers’ market can be like stepping back in time to a celebration of fresh, beautiful foods sold directly from the farmer. I’m one of ‘those’ foodies who shops farmers’ markets weekly, even on vacation. In 2012, I began working behind the table as part of Swainway Urban Farm, an organic specialty vegetable grower in Columbus, Ohio.

With over 150 markets under my belt, I know the ins and outs of farmers marketing. In that time, I’ve experienced every bit of good (and bad) behavior from customers trying to navigate the sometimes crowded scene. Keep your farmer happy and reap the benefits of a pleasant market day by following these tips:

1. Come Early.

I know how nice it is to sleep in on the weekend, or at least I think I remember from my pre-farming days. But if you want my best selection and my happiest attitude, come towards the beginning of the market. Markets are less crowded at the beginning and you can use that time to get to know the farmers.

2. Read The Signs.

Good farms describe their wares in writing, sometimes in several places throughout the booth. We appreciate it when you take a moment to read about our prices and varieties. We enjoy questions, but do get tired of repeating the same information.

3. Chat Mindfully.

I LOVE to talk about gardening. I want to hear about my customer’s pet projects. I enjoy supporting causes. But ultimately, farmers’ market time is about selling what I’ve grown to make money. If I’m sold out or hanging around after market, it’s a great time to start a conversation about a non-market event or gardening trouble spot. If you want to chat during market, though, I’ll likely have to cut the conversation short when another customer comes by. Value my time by suggesting a separate meeting time if I’m busy.

4. Mind The Line.

Farmers do want to sell everything, but we don’t want a long line that gets in the way of other farmers or customers. If you approach when there’s a line, try to use your waiting time to pull out correct change (assuming the farmer has price signs, see number two) and have your bags ready to go. Respect your fellow customers by making transactions short and sweet if the booth is busy. And please find a slower time to stop by if you have an in-depth question (see number three).

5. Only Touch YOUR Food.

We work hard to practice safe food handling, including hand washing and sanitizing harvest tools and containers. It’s easy to spread germs to fresh food at dense farmers’ markets, especially with so much exchange of cash. Do you want to buy food that other customers have fondled? My assumption is no, so to keep everyone safe, I usually discard food that someone touches but does not buy, at a loss. It’s preferable that you “look with your eyes” and coach your children to do the same.

6. Ask Favors Respectfully.

My favorite customers are like family – I’ll hold their purchase in my cooler, set special orders aside, and sometimes even accept payment a week late. But those favors don’t come from demands. They begin with consistent purchases and friendly polite requests. Most farmers are happy to offer special services to regular customers when they are asked nicely.

7. Buy Me A Coffee.

You may think that a 9 am opening bell at a farmers’ market is early, but even us urban farmers who grow food mere miles from the market location must rise hours before to take care of livestock, pack vehicles, unload, and set up. I’m often running on fumes by 11 am on Saturday, and I can’t imagine how farmers who come from outside the city feel. Not every vendor drinks coffee, of course, but we all appreciate a little patience and understanding towards the end of our busiest morning of the week.

8. Tell Us How You Cook Our Food.

I’m excited when a customer tells me about a new recipe they tried using something I grew. Share an old family recipe and I’m over the moon. While we do earn money at the market, what every vendor wants most is to feed people well.

Rachel Tayse Baillieul is a co-owner of Swainway Urban Farm and co-founder of the Columbus Agrarian Society. A former teacher who fell into farming because she loves to be outside, Rachel shares stories about her DIY family at Harmonious Homestead.

This sounds like a post from the Onion… OMG I had to get up so early to be here for you, you should bring me coffee, and don’t talk to me, unless I feel like talking and then I will let you put something in my cooler. Please, you’re there to sell to your customers. Swainway Farm you say? Good to know….

I’m sorry you read it that way. I read it that Rachel is reminding people to be considerate to the farmers/vendors, something that should be automatic but that I’m sure isn’t for everyone. Anyone who has worked in retail or food service would likely say similar things.

Must disagree on one minor point – we delight in seeing folks handling the produce, squeezing and smelling it. We have nothing to hide and how else can they satisfy themselves it is good? We encourage kids to experience it, too, especially very small kids. Otherwise I totally get the part about how she is there to sell and make money. It is a business after all and there is no time for small talk and customers should focus on business — stick to detailed questions about how this produce was grown, exactly when it was picked, how it has been kept cool and discussing price. We expect customers to care enough to haggle price. We always mark everything up to leave plenty of room for dickering – our best customers expect it. We have little respect for a customer who doesn’t interact with us this way. Also should mention how helpful it is to have plenty of late day customers who will take leftovers off our hands at a discount. We hate to waste anything and we hate more to cart anything back home at day’s end.

Thanks for your comment Jim! I wonder if, on the touching/handling produce issue, if it depends on the type of produce (e.g.: watermelon vs. salad greens). Thanks so much for your perspective and your extra advice to readers, especially on the perks of being a latecomer–really appreciate it!

What is the right way to return a purchase from the farmers market? A couple years ago I bought some food that made the kids sick so the next week I went back to the famers market to tell the vendor because I thought they would want to know. The farmer became angry and started yelling I couldn’t prove anything. She was very rude and used bad language. I slunk away feeling very bad as if I had done something wrong. Once I returned spoiled product to my supermarket and they were very helpful and certainly did not curse me out like that. I have shyed away from farmers markets because I won’t take another chance of making them angry. Any advice on how to deal with this?

Trust me, I do most of that, and it feels good. Just being courteous makes my day brighter. Especially when you try to ask about how they prepare their foods, it’s a way to have good connection with them. Just hope that everyone tries to do that too.

Thank you for taking the time to inform the public on some respectful etiquette when doing their shopping at the F.M. I agree with everything you have listed. I also recommend customers not to touch things that bruise easily,very ripe tomatoes,peaches,etc. I have noticed many that have fingernail marks through them. I usually ask the customer what they are looking for in a product when I see a customer squeezing products. There is one thing I have experienced recently and I personally would add to the list. Most should already know this,but maybe to be reminded! There is an older couple who visits 2 times a week ,and rather Early (7a.m) who are rude and occasionally use very offensive cursing,and I have bit my tongue on not saying anything,and hope it will just stop. There is someone else who waits on them now, whom is not offended, but as a born again Christian it offends me when I hear this language,and really always has bothered me. I’m sure other vendors and passing customers could do without this as well. It hurts me Abit to even talk about this, but believe the public should know.